The Chance: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury

The Chance: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury. Howard Books, 2013. 352p. (9781341647034)

Last fall I read my first ever Karen Kingsbury novel. How could I not? The Bridge centered around a bookshop. Little did I know when I requested to review this book that it was ever so slightly tied to the other book.

Goodreads Summary:

In The Chance, New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.

My Review:

While not exactly a short book, I still managed to read it in two sittings last night. (Watched part of Enchanted in between with my roommate.) When I was halfway through I was surprised that I still had just as much left to read since it seemed like the story shouldn’t take that long to wrap up. Yet despite that, the first part didn’t feel rushed and the second half didn’t feel too drawn out.

It only felt drawn out while waiting with a character for something to finally happen and since his wait was a long one, it’s perfectly acceptable that our wait is as well.

At times parts of the story seemed unbelievable and unlikely to really happen, but the way the author wrote the characters made the actions and decisions more plausible. Though Nolan is a bit too good to be true.

Sin is ugly and can cause a huge mess. And it doesn’t only affect the sinner, but also those around the individual. The Tucker family is a perfect example of this. And they are also a great example of Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) and of Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” (NIV)

A clean romance with a few kisses. The story does include out of wedlock children but those scenes are not included and the children are cherished.

All in all, The Chance is a well told tale of a family that has to learn how to forgive, trust and love again. Several times it almost made me cry and it certainly made me smile several times.  

Go read it! Findit at a library near you; Buy it from Amazon; Buy it from ChristianBooks.com

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission. 

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Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker. Harper, 2011. 272p. (978-0062007285)

I read this last summer and am writing this review completely from memory. Since the Super Bowl is tomorrow (yes, I know, the Broncos aren’t playing) I figured I ought to review a football book, and since this is the most recent football related book that I’ve read, I figured it was appropriate. Especially since the only other one is the novel Hometown Legend by Jerry B. Jenkins that I read back in high school. (A fun novelization of the movie.) Plus Tebow has been discussed quite a lot in the past few months.

I really don’t care about American football, but I actually requested this book from the library before it came out. Why? Because Tim Tebow is a missionary kid (and a homeschooler). I was hoping to learn more about that aspect of his life but his family returned to the States when he was still quite young – around age three or four if my memory serves me correctly. So naturally he doesn’t remember much about living overseas, but it still influenced his life – his dad travelled there frequently, he went there on a mission trip in high school, and his foundation is helping orphans there.

Instead, and rightly so, the book focuses on his football career. How his love and passion for the sport developed while a kid, how much time he spent in high school developing his skills, how he agonized over what college to attend and then his college career. I’m sure it also talks about his move to the NFL and his games there but I really can’t remember much about that part of the book.

Through My Eyes tells a lot about what goes on off the field. All the training and exercise, perseverance and dedication, self-discipline and focus that is necessary to play at that level. It’s no wonder the apostle Paul uses athletes as an example of how we should live a Christian life – focused on Jesus Christ.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV84)

Tim Tebow’s great work ethic and dedication to his training are very evident throughout his book and Paul mentions the strict training athletes subject themselves to, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV84) And Tim Tebow knows that there is “a crown that will last forever” and he is running hard in that race as well.

I enjoyed this book – even if the football details got to be a bit too much at times. His drive, determination and his love for Christ is inspiring.

Go read it! Wake County; Greene County; Find it at a library near you; Buy it from CBD

P.S. An edition of his book recently came out for younger readers, Through My Eyes: A Quarterbacks Journey And I like this book cover better because you can actually read (and notice) the title.